Since the 1800’s, two factors have remained constant in the city of Woonsocket; immigrants/minorities, and poverty. Starting with French immigrants in the late 1800’s the majority of the residents of Woonsocket live at or below the poverty level. Because of this there has been less importance placed on higher education and more on maintaining a source of income which, for over 100 years, has meant finding a job in the labor force. Also, opposed to other cities, there is no real portion that is better-off than the others. All of these factors have resulted in a cyclical effect causing poverty to be an ever-present part of Woonsocket.Woonsocket high school is the only high school in the city. Statistical averages from the school, compared to the state, are significantly worse across the board, from attendance and graduation rates to standardized test scores.
This report will cover statistics comparing the socioeconomic status and ethnicity of the Woonsocket population with the performance of the Woonsocket High School student body. This is ideal for those who wish to understand the relationship between the three, along with those who’d want to reform education in poverty-stricken areas.
Community Background
Income/Poverty
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Median Household Income
$39,329
$55,975
Median Family Income
$60,071
$71,724
All families below poverty level
18.2%
8.9%
All people below the poverty level
22.2%
12.8%
Children under 18 below poverty
35.2%
Females w/ no husband
52.3%
Percentage on food stamps
20.0%
14.2%
Race/Ethnicity
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
White
77.7%
81.4%
Black/African Americans
6.4%
5.7%
Asian
5.4%
2.9%
Hispanic or Latino
14.2%
12.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0.4%
0.4%
Total Population
41,186
Population ages 0-19
10,942
As shown under the Income/Poverty table on the previous page Woonsocket falls below the state average in every statistic, the most notable of these statistics being median household income, families below poverty level and people below poverty level. The average household makes over $15,000 less than the state average ($39,329/$55,974). The number of families that are below poverty level (18.2%) is twice that of the state average (8.9%). The percentage of people below poverty level (22.2%) is also much greater than the state (12.8%). Also, 1 in 5 people are on food stamps in Woonsocket as opposed to the state average of roughly 1 in 7. Also, although there is no state average statistic readily available, the data show that a large percentage of those affected by poverty are single women (of which 52.3% of woman are considered in Woonsocket) and children under the age of 18 (35.2% of the population).
The area where Woonsocket is higher than the state average is the percentage of minorities living there, with an almost 5% difference from the state average. Much of the white population is made up of French Canadian families, who have remained in poverty from when there was a massive increase in French immigrants to work in the mills that made up most of the employment in Woonsocket at the time. There is also a 2% difference in the amount of highly qualified teachers (5% vs 3%) under NCLB standards.
District Summary
NECAP Scores
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
11th Grade Math
20%
34%
11th Grade Reading
67%
79%
11th Grade Writing
33%
50%
11th Grade Science
12%
32%
Teacher-Student Ratio
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Teachers with Emergency Certification
4%
1%
Not Highly Qualified Teachers
5%
3%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:11
1:11
Student Body Poverty Info
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Student eligibility for subsidized lunch
72%
46%
Students Receiving Bilingual Services
8%
6%
Students Receiving Special Education Services
15%
20%
Safe and Supportive Schools Definitions
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Attendance Rate
84%
91%
Chronic Absenteeism
36%
17%
Percent Graduated in 2012
64.9%
77.1%
Percent dropped out
21.7%
11.9%
Percent Received GED
3.7%
3.2%
Percent still in school
9.7%
7.8%
Another area where Woonsocket is alarmingly worse than state averages is academic performance. There is at least a 10% difference in 11th grade NECAP proficiency in every category, with the largest gap being science at 20%. Woonsocket struggles to keep students going to classes with a chronic absenteeism rate more than twice that of the state average (36% vs 17%), which is also roughly the same rate as students who dropped out (21.7% vs 11.9%). There is also a large gap in the graduation rate compared to the state average (64.9 vs 77.1). Woonsocket also rates high in the percentage of those who received a GED and those who remained in high school after 5 years.
The areas where the Woonsocket school district rates higher than the state average are, similar to community background, disheartening. The percentage of students eligible for subsidized lunches is a staggering 72%, as opposed to 46% rate of the state. The percentage of students who receive special education services (15% vs 20%) is indicative of a lack of staff who are qualified in that area.
School Analysis
SAT Scores
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Mathematics
437
480
Reading
442
477
Writing
428
470
AP Exams
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Number of Exams Taken
104
5709
Number of Students to Take Exam
82
3458
Exams Scored at College-Level Mastery
25
3264
% Scored at College-Level Mastery
24%
57%
Safe and Supportive Definitions
Woonsocket
Rhode Island
Attendance Rate
85%
90%
Chronic Absenteeism
45%
17%
Percent Graduated in 2012
65.6%
77.1%
Percent Dropped Out
21.6%
11.9%
Percent Received GED
3.8%
3.2%
Percent Still in School After 4 Years
9.0%
7.8%
5 Year Graduation Rate
67.6%
80.8%
Data show that Woonsocket high school students are at a serious disadvantage at test taking compared to the state, according to SAT and AP score averages. SAT scores were lower in all three areas; Mathematics (437 vs 480), Reading (442 vs 477) and Writing. (428 vs 470). As the table containing AP score statistics shows, the percentage of AP tests taken at Woonsocket High School that made college-level proficiency (24%) a 23% difference from the state average (57%). The data under Safe and Supportive Definitions for Woonsocket High School reflect that of the District, with the largest jump being that of chronic absenteeism rising from 36% to 45%.
Conclusion
As evidenced by the data above, Woonsocket is considerably worse-off than the majority of Rhode Island in terms of both economic status and academic performance and it is important to examine how the two affect each other. Because of the economic status of the city as a whole there is less funding for the school; this suggests there are less qualified teachers and supplies for the students. Teachers who are not experienced in interacting with students usually results in a loss of control over a classroom, resulting in an indifferent demeanor due to being unable to control a rowdy group. This results in less teaching being done and more time attempting to enforcing rules or dealing with problems that may arise. This may attribute to the chronic absenteeism and thus the high dropout rate. Less supplies for the students correlates with the students and their families having to buy them, and with a student body already deep in poverty it’s not unreasonable to assume that these supplies cannot be easily obtained. Another factor that may contribute to the high dropout rate is the number of children in Woonsocket who are below poverty level (35%). Older siblings who are still in high school yet old enough to work may need to focus on earning enough money to support their family. All of these factors have resulted in a cyclical effect, keeping the Woonsocket community in poverty and the student body struggling to keep up with the state average in terms of academic performance, possibly resulting in less of the population going on to obtain a higher level of education and remaining in entry-level, low-income jobs. It’s also important to note that the population of Woonsocket has direct ties to immigration and minority status among its citizens, which is also associated nationwide with poverty. If there is one aspect of this report that must be stressed, it’s the implication that poor academic performance is a symptom of poverty, not the cause of it.
A report by David Phaneuf
Introduction
Since the 1800’s, two factors have remained constant in the city of Woonsocket; immigrants/minorities, and poverty. Starting with French immigrants in the late 1800’s the majority of the residents of Woonsocket live at or below the poverty level. Because of this there has been less importance placed on higher education and more on maintaining a source of income which, for over 100 years, has meant finding a job in the labor force. Also, opposed to other cities, there is no real portion that is better-off than the others. All of these factors have resulted in a cyclical effect causing poverty to be an ever-present part of Woonsocket.Woonsocket high school is the only high school in the city. Statistical averages from the school, compared to the state, are significantly worse across the board, from attendance and graduation rates to standardized test scores.
This report will cover statistics comparing the socioeconomic status and ethnicity of the Woonsocket population with the performance of the Woonsocket High School student body. This is ideal for those who wish to understand the relationship between the three, along with those who’d want to reform education in poverty-stricken areas.
Community Background
Income/Poverty
Race/Ethnicity
As shown under the Income/Poverty table on the previous page Woonsocket falls below the state average in every statistic, the most notable of these statistics being median household income, families below poverty level and people below poverty level. The average household makes over $15,000 less than the state average ($39,329/$55,974). The number of families that are below poverty level (18.2%) is twice that of the state average (8.9%). The percentage of people below poverty level (22.2%) is also much greater than the state (12.8%). Also, 1 in 5 people are on food stamps in Woonsocket as opposed to the state average of roughly 1 in 7. Also, although there is no state average statistic readily available, the data show that a large percentage of those affected by poverty are single women (of which 52.3% of woman are considered in Woonsocket) and children under the age of 18 (35.2% of the population).
The area where Woonsocket is higher than the state average is the percentage of minorities living there, with an almost 5% difference from the state average. Much of the white population is made up of French Canadian families, who have remained in poverty from when there was a massive increase in French immigrants to work in the mills that made up most of the employment in Woonsocket at the time. There is also a 2% difference in the amount of highly qualified teachers (5% vs 3%) under NCLB standards.
District Summary
NECAP Scores
Teacher-Student Ratio
Student Body Poverty Info
Safe and Supportive Schools Definitions
Another area where Woonsocket is alarmingly worse than state averages is academic performance. There is at least a 10% difference in 11th grade NECAP proficiency in every category, with the largest gap being science at 20%. Woonsocket struggles to keep students going to classes with a chronic absenteeism rate more than twice that of the state average (36% vs 17%), which is also roughly the same rate as students who dropped out (21.7% vs 11.9%). There is also a large gap in the graduation rate compared to the state average (64.9 vs 77.1). Woonsocket also rates high in the percentage of those who received a GED and those who remained in high school after 5 years.
The areas where the Woonsocket school district rates higher than the state average are, similar to community background, disheartening. The percentage of students eligible for subsidized lunches is a staggering 72%, as opposed to 46% rate of the state. The percentage of students who receive special education services (15% vs 20%) is indicative of a lack of staff who are qualified in that area.
School Analysis
SAT Scores
AP Exams
Safe and Supportive Definitions
The data under Safe and Supportive Definitions for Woonsocket High School reflect that of the District, with the largest jump being that of chronic absenteeism rising from 36% to 45%.
Conclusion
As evidenced by the data above, Woonsocket is considerably worse-off than the majority of Rhode Island in terms of both economic status and academic performance and it is important to examine how the two affect each other. Because of the economic status of the city as a whole there is less funding for the school; this suggests there are less qualified teachers and supplies for the students. Teachers who are not experienced in interacting with students usually results in a loss of control over a classroom, resulting in an indifferent demeanor due to being unable to control a rowdy group. This results in less teaching being done and more time attempting to enforcing rules or dealing with problems that may arise. This may attribute to the chronic absenteeism and thus the high dropout rate. Less supplies for the students correlates with the students and their families having to buy them, and with a student body already deep in poverty it’s not unreasonable to assume that these supplies cannot be easily obtained. Another factor that may contribute to the high dropout rate is the number of children in Woonsocket who are below poverty level (35%). Older siblings who are still in high school yet old enough to work may need to focus on earning enough money to support their family. All of these factors have resulted in a cyclical effect, keeping the Woonsocket community in poverty and the student body struggling to keep up with the state average in terms of academic performance, possibly resulting in less of the population going on to obtain a higher level of education and remaining in entry-level, low-income jobs. It’s also important to note that the population of Woonsocket has direct ties to immigration and minority status among its citizens, which is also associated nationwide with poverty.
If there is one aspect of this report that must be stressed, it’s the implication that poor academic performance is a symptom of poverty, not the cause of it.
Bibliography
Infoworks!. (2013) Woonsocket district. Infoworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. November 6, 2013, from http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/district/woonsocket
Rhode Island Kids Count. (2013) Indicators of Child Well-Being Profile of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Kids Count. November 6, 2013, from http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Woonsocket_2013.pdf.
United States Census Bureau. (2013, June). State & County Quickfacts. U.S. Census Bureau. November 5, 2013, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4480780.html.